The 2024 NFL Season is rapidly approaching. The season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 and every day through Monday, September 2 we’ll be going team-by-team as we preview the new season. Be sure to come back here every afternoon as we look at a new team and get your ready for the 2024 season. We’ll cover off-season changes, the fantasy prospects, and the prediction for how the team will fare this season.

The Falcons’ 2023 season began with promise but ended in a 7-10 disappointment. That led to sweeping changes as the team parted ways with Head Coach Arthur Smith. The Falcons brought back Raheem Morris to begin the turnaround and made some sweeping changes this off-season. That puts the Falcons in the bullseye for the rest of the division as they’re projected to make a leap. Can they do it? Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

With Smith gone, the Falcons looked to make a change at quarterback. The team sent Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals, bringing back receiver Rondale Moore to bolster the receiving group. The Falcons also let go of a number of offensive veterans, seeing receivers Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller, along with running back Cordarrelle Patterson head to Pittsburgh to follow Smith. Mack Hollins left for the Bills while Jonnu Smith signed with the Miami Dolphins. The team also lost defensive veterans Bud Dupree, Calais Campbell, and Tre Flowers, among others. The Falcons also made a trade with the Patriots during camp to acquire pass rusher Matthew Judon. The Falcons followed that adding safety Justin Simmons to bolster the secondary.

In free agency the Falcons signed former Bears’ receiver Darnell Mooney. Mooney gives the team a solid No. 2 receiver. But the biggest splash came when the Falcons snagged former Vikings’ quarterback Kirk Cousins. In six years with the Vikings he threw for 23,265 yards and 171 touchdowns. He figures to give the Falcons balance and a strong veteran leader at the quarterback position. But the Falcons weren’t done.

In the draft, Atlanta shocked most by snagging former Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., to seemingly be the team’s quarterback of the future. Penix threw for 9,544 yards and 67 touchdowns in two years with Washington. The rest of the draft focused on building depth, especially on the defensive line. The Falcons snagged defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, end Bralen Trice, and tackle Brandon Dorlus.

Fantasy Prospects

While drafting Penix was a big story, as long as he’s healthy, Cousins should be the starter. He’s coming back off a major injury, but I still like him as a solid QB2. In the backfield, the Falcons have Bijan Robinson, who finished as RB9 as a rookie. He split more time with Tyler Allgeier than fantasy fans would have liked in 2023, but I think that changes in 2024. I like Robinson as an RB1. Allgeier is a great handcuff and should have some flex appeal.

In the passing game, the hope is the change in coaches and the addition of Cousins will bolster the fantasy prospects of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. London finished as WR37 in 2023, while Pitts was TE13. I like both to take a big step forward with Cousins. I think London finishes as a a high-end WR2 with some WR1 upside, while Pitts finishes as a Top 12 tight end. Mooney should have some opportunities as well, especially with Moore now out for the season. I like Mooney to finish in the WR5 range.

Prediction

The pressure is on Atlanta after this off-season. Adding Cousins to a talented roster in a winnable division should help. But how high can the Falcons go? The team won seven games in 2023 and I think they win nine or 10 this year, taking the NFC South and bouncing into the playoffs.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.